An experimental examination of mesenteric glands, tonsils and adenoids : with reference to the presence of virulent tubercle bacilli / by Allan MacFadyen, M.D., and Alfred MacConkey, M.B. from the Bacteriological Department, Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine.

  • Macfayden, Allan, 1860-1907
Date:
[1903?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: An experimental examination of mesenteric glands, tonsils and adenoids : with reference to the presence of virulent tubercle bacilli / by Allan MacFadyen, M.D., and Alfred MacConkey, M.B. from the Bacteriological Department, Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Reprinted from the “British Medical JournalJuly 18, 1903. An Experimental Examination of Mesenteric Glands, Tonsils and Adenoids, With Reference to the Presence of Virulent Tubercle Bacilli. By ALLAN MACFADYEN, M.D., AND ALFRED MACCONKEY, M.B. From the Bacteriological Department, Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine. The experiments were primarily undertaken with a view to determine the presence or absence of virulent tubercle bacilli in the mesenteric glands of young children by an examination of suitable post-mortem material. The results, it was hoped, might furnish additional data with reference to the importance of the digestive tract as a channel for the entrance of tubercle bacilli into the system. The methods adopted were as follows :—The mesenteric glands on their removal at the necropsy were placed in a mixture of equal parts of glycerine and normal saline solution and conveyed to the laboratory. The material was tested in every instance by means of inoculation experiments. For this purpose a new method of procedure was adopted. The glands were freed as far as possible from the glycerine mixture, and were then disinte¬ grated in a mechanical contrivance devised by Mr. Rowland for the purpose. It was considered that the method employed would facilitate the detection of the tubercle bacillus, and that it pre¬ sented advantages over an ordinary emulsification, or a microscopic examination of the glands by the usual methods. If the organisms are sparse in number their physical presence may at times be over¬ looked. A thorough disintegration of the gland material will, on the other hand, tend to expose any organisms imbedded in recesses of the tissues and thus increase the chances of a successful inocu¬ lation experiment. In this respect the method appeared to us to approach more nearly to the conditions of an absolute test, and to be, therefore, the best adapted to the special purpose in view. The trituration of the glands was continued until the disintegration was so complete that a pulpy mass sufficiently fluid to be injected by means of a hypodermic syringe was obtained. The disintegrating process lasted from half an hour to one hour, and every precaution was taken to carry it out under aseptic condi¬ tions, and to prevent any undue heating of the material. Of each gland thus treated, one half was injected subcutaneously, and the